MUSLIM WOMENS EDUCATION SYSTEM IN AROUND VELLORE DISTRICT -A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

The paper is dealing on access to education of Muslims in general and Muslim women in particular. The earlier shape of centers for importing religions education to the girl was more or less medieval. There used to be in every locality a pious lady who was assigned the duty of teaching the Quran and explaining the rudimentary Knowledge of religion. Newer was a girl ever taught how to write in rare cases at the behest of the parents a girl was instructed as to how a pen is to be held. The only occasion for a girl to hold a pen and sign her name was in the marriage register. Though she was not taught the method of writing she was made conversant with the written form and every girl was made to commit to memory the first portion of the Quran as it was essential for saying prayers. Some efforts were taken by the Ulema of the Vellore district to propagate education among women. Separate Makatib were established in every locally. They were attached to the mosques and maintained by the jamats. They provided fundamental knowledge of Urdu. Arabic and the Quran the Muslim girls of the Vellore district received education in these Makatib.